History of the ELFK and the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Leipzig
150 Years of Grace and Fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Free Church (ELFK) of Germany – Part One
Presenter: Seminary President Holger Weiss
Description: The Evangelical Lutheran Free Church (ELFK) of Germany celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2026. The WELS has enjoyed a close bond of fellowship with the ELFK since its founding in 1876—a relationship that endured even after the dissolution of the Synodical Conference. This first presentation in our two-part series highlights the history of the ELFK and explores how its Lutheran Theological Seminary in Leipzig has served to strengthen the bridge between the WELS and the ELFK over the decades.
About the Presenter: Holger Weiss is the president of Lutherisches Theologisches Seminar in Leipzig. Raised in the German State Church of Hesse, he became a Lutheran during his university years and joined the ELFK. After completing his theological training in Leipzig, he earned an STM from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 2013. President Weiss served the Emmaus congregation in Schönfeld for 18 years before accepting a full-time call to the Leipzig seminary in 2020, where he has taught exegesis since 2004. He and his wife have three children.